Eight years after the first presentation, the semiautomatic Beretta A 400 has practically achieved every objective that could reasonably be set: the different set-ups, the practical and qualifying accessories, the declination in the three calibers on which almost all the hunters' choices are noted make this family of spearguns a complete and exhaustive whole. The choice of the gas-operated repeater system born with the Mod. 60 and soon migrated to that A 300, a true milestone of the genre and of the brand, clearly clarified to users the algebraic sum with the most and the least connected to all systems and all choices: here, alongside greater care in cleaning, you can enjoy a more dilated rearming movement in those times that to many seem fatal to keep the gun in the tappet without difficulty, noticing little of the recoil.
Others find the absence of soiling from the fumes more suited to their spirit and fully appreciate the speed of rearming with that slight note of dryness in the recoil: classic sedan or sports car suspensions, this could be a translated comparison in the automotive field, so much the choice always takes place in the same Industrial Group.
The technique
The castle proportioned to the 20/76 gauge is obtained by milling from an extruded ergal, the aeronautical aluminum alloy, revisiting the structure with the lightening of some points and the strengthening of others so as to gain less weight with the same resistance. There is the ejection window on the right side and the long lower slot in which the trigger unit is positioned and, in front of this, the lifting bucket with the compartment for inserting the cartridges in the tubular tank. On the shell there are four claws for the easy attachment of one of the various optoelectronic systems, useful in particular in hunting with a ball. The power supply stop lever is recessed on the left side of the castle: it is practical for replacing the chambered cartridge with another one taken from the cartridge belt, as well as for maintaining the total supply of the tank when the repetition of the shot can take place in comfortable tranquility.
The reset movement starts from the gas intake block, welded under the barrel at about one third of the length, inside which a self-cleaning piston slides: the overpressure valve is missing, not necessary with the caliber adopted and on which we save at least 40 g. By means of two rods, the thrust of the piston gives movement to the shutter carriage obtained from a NiCr steel bar, in which the two-wing head is engaged: with the interaction of a peg in an inclined track, the linear movement is here transformed into rotation by closing the fins in the mortises made in the breech extension of the barrel or their release. In the flat face of the bolt you can still see the firing pin hole, the extraction nail registered by an internal spring and the milling of the passage of the ejection tooth fixed to the extension of the barrel. Blink is the name given by the company to this system. The static dynamic balance is an excellence of the speargun: the front positioning of the recoil spring, coaxial with the magazine tube placed under the barrel, favors shooting stability with easy line of sight maintenance.
The barrel type Steelium The sequence of deep drilling, cold hammering followed by stress relieving to give the metal the characteristics that make it at the top for the ballistic yield capable of impressing the swarm of shot : interchangeable chokes are added to the work Optimabore HP to be combined with the three barrel sizes, 66, 72 and 76 cm for maximum functionality when hunting or on the platform.
The stock in polymer, it is designed to ensure rigidity under gunfire, strength and low weight: you can see the innovative and ergonomic shapes inaugurated with the first presentation of the A400 to which two details are added. The first is the Gun Pod2, electronic device inserted in the guard: connected to the smartphone, it records the hunter's routes, shots fired and any other news relating to hunting or shooting activities, to be shared with friends. The second is the system Kick Off Plus joined to the butt plate Micro cores consisting of an open cell expanded technopolymer with the ability to instantly increase the contact surface with the shoulder: there are different thicknesses that allow you to perfect the length on your physical conformation. After this chemical solution, we move on to mechanics with a unique apparatus of its kind, capable of absorbing 70% of the energy expressed by the shot thanks to two hydraulic shock absorbers, similar to those of cars, positioned between the gun and the rear portion of the stock, in order to remove the sensation of movement from the cheek while reducing the wheelie.
A proof and conclusions
Several shots fired on the platform at the Tav di Bettolino fully confirmed the functionality of the whole and of each device that contributes to forming the A400 Lite rifle: the weight of 2.750 g with a 66 cm barrel, chambered for the 20/76 caliber, places the weapon among the current preferences as well as the quotation, also light, is increasingly appreciated by those who carefully check the relationship between the expense and the product: here the low cost and the equipment are happily combined, which never goes to the detriment of the completeness necessary to maintain this Beretta in the segment Premium. The ease of handling, the sensations always up to expectations, the often amazing results such as breakage of the second target, at truly unusual distances make the Lite an opportunity to be kept in full view.